Quilting Resolutions

With the new year upon us, quilters everywhere are thinking of resolutions. Here are a few tips to help fellow quilters keep those resolutions.

Most quilters will resolve to be better organized or get a good grasp on time management. For those who want to get organized, get the right tools to help you be successful. If you have quilting fabric, threads, scissors, strewn from your sewing room to other rooms of the house, maybe you need a project box or bag. This would allow you to keep your work mobile, but would keep it all together, too.

If your threads and bobbins need organizing, select a rack or thread box to help contain them. While it may take some training of yourself to actually put your threads away once you've finished working with them, stay diligent at the task for a month. After that, it should become almost second nature!

If your fabric stash is getting out of hand, find a storage method that works for you. Maybe a shelf on which you can stack your fabric is all you need. A shelf allows you to see exactly what you have on hand. If you'd like, you can organize it by theme or color.

Other fabric storage ideas include bins, plastic totes with lids, wooden chests, wire baskets and shelves. There are many options. Consider the space you have and your needs to select the storage organization that's right for you.

Time management is a personal resolution. Each quilter must decide how much time to relegate to quilting. That decision will likely depend on whether quilting is a hobby, a source of part time income, or is a full time job. Whatever your situation, make sure to set aside enough time to fulfill your personal quilting needs and remember to make time for family and taking care of yourself. Those are also important resolutions!

If you are a hobby quilter with dreams of turning your passion into dollars, why not resolve to start your business in the coming year? Pick a goal, such as having enough quilts to sell at a favorite craft fair. Start making those quilts and get a booth at that fair.

If your resolution is to learn a new technique, there are plenty from which to choose. If you typically create traditional pieced quilt blocks, resolve to learn appliqué next year. If you usually have someone else quilt the tops you piece, resolve to quilt one of your own this coming year. If you have never made a rag quilt, try one next year.

If your resolutions involve buying equipment, be sure to do your research ahead of time. Maybe you plan to add a new quilting machine or embroidery machine in the new year. If so, keep your warranty information in a safe place and hang onto the receipt. If you do not usually do those things, make that a resolution too.

The most important resolution quilters can make is to continue quilting in the new year. Quilters may face new challenges in stressed economic times. Some fabric stores are closing which means traveling a little farther to shop or buying fabric online. This would be a great time to form a fabric co-op with other quilters in your area. Arrange a monthly fabric swap with your fellow quilters or carpool once a month to those fabric stores.

No matter what your quilting resolution is for the coming year, remember to enjoy your craft. Share it with others when you can. Your quilts will bring as much joy to the recipient as it brought to you while making it!